Overwhelmed by clutter and have no idea where to start? Get 10 easy tips for how to start decluttering when overwhelmed by the mess!
If there’s ONE pet peeve that I have, it’s CLUTTER! Walking in to my home and seeing piles of who-knows-what’s is stressful! And I’m not alone…
In fact, a study done by UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives of Families, shows that mothers especially are susceptible to higher levels of stress if they feel that their homes are cluttered or messy.
So if you’re a Mom like me, then that means you’re probably overwhelmed with clutter and feeling stressed about it… which is why you’re here!
Walking in to your daughter’s room with horse blinders on only works for so long before you eventually feel the need to start decluttering. And if you’re at that point that you can’t just ignore the mess for any longer, then I’ve got some easy tips for you!
Having a big goal is great! But it can be overwhelming… unless you have a plan to accomplish it. These tips for how to start decluttering when you’re overwhelmed will help you take the first step to getting that clutter-free house you’ve always wanted!
Just START Decluttering Already!
Yes, you may be too overwhelmed to declutter, but think of it this way…
Your clutter isn’t just going to magically disappear… In fact, the longer you put it off, the worse it will become. If you’ve already got piles of extra stuff all over your house, then what’s the harm in just adding one more toy or t-shirt or magazine to the pile, right?
Remember…
Clutter breeds MORE clutter!
Amy @ The Savvy Sparrow
It’s important to take the first step to declutter, before your clutter mole hill turns into a clutter mountain.
So the first tip for how to start decluttering when overwhelmed is to JUST START!
You can’t win the race if you’re stuck at the starting line!
Here are some tips to start decluttering, even if your house is a MESS and you’re completely overwhelmed:
10 Tips for How to Start Decluttering When You’re Overwhelmed
Tip #1: Declutter one small area at a time.
If you’re faced with a whole house that’s filled with clutter, then of course you’re going to be overwhelmed! Even the most organized person wouldn’t know where to start decluttering if every single room needs attention!
The key to start decluttering when you’re overwhelmed is to break the HUGE job of decluttering into small, bite-sized decluttering jobs.
There are a few ways to do this… First, you can pick one room and split it up into smaller zones within that room. For instance, you could divide the bedroom into smaller areas like:
- Nightstand
- Under the bed
- Sock and underwear drawers
- Clothing drawers
- Shoe rack
- Closet shelves
- Hanging clothes
Then tackle one small area each day, and after one week, your bedroom will be completely clutter-free and you can move on to the next room.
Or, you can also use my printable 30 Bags in 30 Days Decluttering Challenge! Just print out the 30 day decluttering checklist, and commit to removing one bag of clutter from your home everyday for a month. You’ll be amazed at how much neater your home will look on day 30!
Tip #2: Start decluttering with the VISIBLE clutter.
There is nothing worse than working for hours on a project and feeling like you have nothing to show for it… Like mopping your entire house right before an army of kids comes trampling in with muddy shoes.
So start on the clutter that you can actually SEE, rather than what’s lurking inside your junk drawer or under the bathroom sink.
Visible clutter can often be found in these areas:
- Kitchen counters – This is a hot spot for clutter, because most families use their kitchen counters as a “drop zone” when they walk in to the house. Get some great tips for How to Declutter Kitchen Counters Once and For All here!
- Coffee table and end tables – Old magazines, newspapers, and little knick knacks are all visible clutter, or clutter that you can’t NOT see because it’s just out!
- Mud room – If you have a mudroom, then you probably pass through it every single day. Unorganized shoes, bags, and miscellaneous items all contribute to the overall cluttered look of your home.
- Bathroom counters – Look for under-counter storage solutions so that you keep your countertops clear.
- Any flat surface – Pretty much any flat surface (dining table, dresser top, etc) can serve as a clutter zone!
Once you finish with some of the visible clutter you’ll have the satisfaction of a nice new clean and organized space, and you’ll be motivated to keep going.
Tip #3: Set a timer each day.
Starting a monumental task when there is no end in sight is overwhelming! So give yourself a finish line to look forward to each day.
Start a timer when you begin decluttering, and commit to working on your clutter, uninterrupted, until that timer goes off. So that means putting your phone down so you’re not getting distracted!
Even if you can only declutter for 30 minutes each day, if you’re fully invested in those 30 minutes, you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish in such a short period of time!
*This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click a link and make a purchase, I earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.
Tip #4: Blare some “pump up” music.
There’s a reason why people listen to music while they’re working out. It can be very motivating.
And I don’t know about you, but I need some serious motivation when I’m staring at 52,000 Legos and 3 years worth of junk Happy Meal toys! And my motivation just happens to come in the form of Taylor Swift and “Mom’s Best Friend”, my Amazon Echo.
Whether I’m trying to clean my whole house in one hour or declutter the junk drawer, I like to ask Alexa to play my “Cleaning Playlist”, filled with upbeat songs to get me moving.
Plus, music can be a great way to distract yourself from the overwhelm, while not ACTUALLY distracting you from the task at hand… if that makes sense! 🙂
Tip #5: Use a checklist of individual items to declutter.
Sometimes if you’re overwhelmed by a task, it’s best to have a checklist to help you through it.
You can grab my FREE printable list of 100+ Things to Declutter from your Home HERE!
Just print out the checklist, and go through it one room at a time. This printable list can be your “road map” if you want to know how to start decluttering when overwhelmed!
Tip #6: Ask yourself the hard questions.
Let’s face it… it can be hard to declutter. You spent your hard earned money buying all of these things, so the thought of just getting rid of stuff can be overwhelming.
You could also be overwhelmed with decluttering because you’re afraid that you may get rid of something and then realize a week later that you need it. Then, you’ve got to turn around and spend money on something that you just trashed.
Sound familiar?
To help ease your overwhelm, here are some questions you can ask yourself about each item:
- Have I used this item in the last year?
- Have I worn this item in the last year?
- Does this item bring me joy? (as suggested by Marie Kondo)
- Does this item have sentimental value?
- Am I holding onto this item with the assumption that I may need it in the future, but I haven’t used it in over a year?
- Is this item broken, missing pieces, or worn out?
If you start decluttering by asking yourself these questions, it will be easier to make the decision of whether or not to get rid of your items.
Tip #7: Envision the finish line, a clutter-free home!
Won’t it be nice to walk into your home after you’ve decluttered and not feel completely stressed out and overwhelmed by the mess?
Rather than focusing on the things that you’re giving up, like that tabletop S’mores set that you used once three years ago, think about what you’ll be gaining, like extra space in your kitchen cabinets.
Tip #8: Try a printable Decluttering Challenge!
A printable challenge is a great way to hold yourself accountable when you’re overwhelmed with decluttering.
I’ve got loads of great free printable decluttering challenges, like this 30 Bags in 30 Days Challenge or this 100 Things to Declutter List, but if you’re feeling really motivated, you can try my most ambitious decluttering challenge, The 7 Day Declutter Your Nest Challenge!
This decluttering challenge gives you a blueprint for how to declutter and organize your entire house in just one week. Plus, it’s filled with other decluttering tips like the how to prepare for a big decluttering session and what to do with certain items as you declutter.
Tip #9: Have a plan for stuff that you can’t get rid of.
“If you don’t have a plan, then you’re planning to fail”… or something like that.
Go in to your decluttering session with a clear plan of what you’re going to do with all of your stuff. Separate all of your clutter into categories like:
- Trash – For items that are in bad shape or broken and can’t be donated or given to family or friends
- Sell – For higher value items that you want to put time into selling
- Donate – For gently used items
- Relocate – For items that you want to keep that need a proper home
If you don’t have a plan to immediately remove your clutter, then there’s a good chance that it will never actually make it OUT of your house.
Tip #10: When you’re overwhelmed with decluttering, remember “Progress over Perfection”!
This is a motto that I try to stick to in my professional life, but it applies to decluttering also!
Perfectly rolling up every single t-shirt in your drawer to look like a little burrito and then neatly organizing them in rainbow order LOOKS cute, but that takes some major time! Time that you probably don’t have… especially if you have young kids.
So rather than focusing on getting everything PERFECT, focus on making PROGRESS!
Okay, now START decluttering!
I hope this post is the kick in the rear that you needed to start decluttering, even if you’re overwhelmed by your mess! Remember, the first step is to actually take the first step! Just START decluttering, and as you slowly clear away the mess, you’ll be motivated to keep going. Your beautiful flooring is hiding under there somewhere! 🙂
And if you don’t start now, you may end up looking like this…
After you tackle your decluttering, check out some of these other cleaning and organizing posts:
- How to Organize Computer Files and Declutter Digitally
- How to Organize Your Medicine Cabinet in 6 Easy Steps
- Organize Paperwork: How to Setup a Filing System for Family Papers
And happy nesting!
Comments & Reviews
Carla says
TY so very much!!
LouAnn Gregg says
great really informative. Looking forward to getting started. 🤯😊
Amanda Sheffield says
I will try it. my closets are full and I’ve painted in that room too. so all of those things are in there. haven’t used in over a year so it’s time to get rid of them. I’m going to do bit by bit. I hope it works.
Amy says
Good luck! That’s the key that I have found – set a timer and just work a little bit each day so that you don’t get overwhelmed. Or divide your house into small areas and do one small area each day (like top closet shelf, hanging racks in the closet, shoes/accessories, et). Just think about how much better you’ll feel when everything is neat and tidy!
Precious LaStarr says
I loved this! Thank you for the many tips! I’lm setting up my timers, something I can stick to during the weekdays and then again on the weekends.
This is truly great!!
From an overwhelmed Mom!!
Heather says
Hi! loved your posts about decluttering..im psyched about getting started..using my daughter moving out as the Perfect excuse to start decluttering project..how can they have more clothes than you could ever wear in a lifetime?! oh yeah thats right..women usually have 3 different sets of sizes, ect.
Lol..wish me luck!
Linda says
I have only a bedroom and bathroom to take care of and a large closet but I can’t seem to get motivated to do it .. I lost my husband 8 years ago and I just can’t do the things I should ..
Julie Hughes says
Inspirational, I’ll give it a shot.
Danielle K. says
Great Advice!! Imma try it! My fav is seeting a timer, i never wouldve thought about that!!
Patricia Abrams says
Thanks for the help!! I like your advice.
ROSEMARIE M BUCHANAN says
The best way to declutter is to not bring all that crap into your house in the first place! If you have a bunch of Happy Meal toys, ask yourself why you and your family are wasting so much money on bad food instead of cooking at home? How much Lego does one (or more) kid really need? Why do you have so many shoes that you actually have to have a part of your decluttering schedule derailed because you have too many shoes? Ask yourself if you and your family can be MUCH better at recycling and reusing. Ask why you’re buying so much over-packaged stuff? Do you really need that stuff? Will you bleed to death without it? If you have kids, regardless of their age, get them involved to pre-empt them from acquiring your clutter (hoarding?) habit. Put down your devices and talk to your children (or partner) about keeping your home uncluttered. Everybody needs to be on board with a household plan to get stay uncluttered, and the adults need to be the role models. Don’t let sad eyes and temper tantrums manipulate you into doing all the work. It’ll be very little work when everyone pitches in!
Janice Elliott says
One of my big words that I am known for is PROCRASTINATION! Some say I’m a Hoarder. (I don’t think I am, after watching the Hoarder Shows!) I am 75 and all of the older members have died. I seem to want to keep some of their things because of memories 😌. It’s really hard for me to get rid of those things. One hint a friend of mine told me was to take a picture of those things and put them in an album to look at whenever I want. Then they won’t be taking up space. We had a big Yard Sale a couple of years ago. I set a lot of stuff out on tables in the garage and took pictures of them as I got stuff laid out. I forwarded the pictures on a Family Group and asked if anyone wanted any of those things. Some came and picked the things up. For others, I boxed them up and wrote their names on them and left them in the garage for when they came, or, we went there. Nothing was to come back into the house! That’s always a Big Rule! After the Yard Sale, anything left, went to the Sr. Center or the VA Center for their summer Yard Sale to help the Veterans all around the area. One thing I heard too recently- Have a big Family Dinner, like Thanksgiving, and use all of those items that you would like to get rid of. Then, ask everyone to take the items home that they would like to have. Great idea. I am old now. so I am trying to declutter, but I still need help for ideas!
PAT says
thank you for your how to start decluttering,tomorrow is a new day,first print off your lists then I can start( fingers crossed 🤞).
Edna says
This was very interesting to me as I have tons of clutter and my wife is a minimalist.I am always trying to declutter but end up shuffling things from the area into a different area. I am a hoarder of clothes, footwear, purses, books ,and Knick knacks.
Maria says
These are the same things I’ve tried to explain to my DIL, but for whatever reason, she just won’t apply them to her daily life. She wants to set days, weekends or even holiday breaks (teacher) to attempt to clear the house, which of course never works out the way she plans.🤦♀️They’re actually a combination of Feng Shui and Marie Kondo. I’m gonna send this link to her and hopefully it will sink in(this time).🤞 You know how kids are, they listen to someone else before they’ll listen to you. 🤷♀️ What she doesn’t seem to realize is that I’m not telling her these things just to hear myself talk, I am speaking with experience, literally.
Traci L Olson says
Need help being able to get rid of, donate,a or garage sell, & how to manage that. 2 people have passed away. & now my place is full, to full. I’m hoping to learn a bunch here. I need to save this so I can check list myself. Thanks.
Amy says
Hi Traci! Just focus on tackling one small area at a time, and getting that completely done. Sorry to hear about your loss – I know that it can be difficult dealing with things that are left behind. Best of luck to you!
Kat Fern says
you are a very good writer! Enjoyed your humor.
Amy says
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed the post!
Sherri says
I m going to take some of your ideas and use it this weekend Thank you
Afton Jackson says
Settling on smaller goals first when decluttering really does sound like a better way to do things. If we can declutter with this kind of behavior in mind, it could really allow us to have a much better outlook on the process and get much better progress. I’ll ask for help from a local dumpster rental service once we’ve made enough progress on the cleaning around our home.
https://www.dumpstersunlimited.com/
Laura says
Thank-you for your encouragement and your know how plans ! I want to declutter my house !!!
Helen Gerding says
you have many good ideas, so I am going to download your help sheets. thanks a lot.
Sally Herr says
Thanks for all the ways to declutter, I have good intentions and then I end up doing something else because I can’t seem to get motivated!! your ideas are great 👍
Susan Skipper Alvarez says
The clutter and disorganization in my life has mounoover the last 3 1/2 years.A very personal special loss triggered so much downward spiral. It is ridiculous. Reason aside now it’s time to get real with me
Thanks so very much for sharing this beautiful post and helpful ideas!
Sincerely
Susan
Pamele says
Hi! I love your article very much and have saved it on Pinterest and got some printables from you. I’m 67yo, I was a perfectionist growing up, trying to keep up the house and going to Vocational school. I got married and had two girls, and I was still a perfectionist; that is till things I had collected were being used against me for nefarious reasons. So, I ended up getting rid of memories because they weren’t important anymore. I still practice organization, because I hate it when I can’t find what I’m looking for. At my age, it’s hard for me to do a lot of things because of arthritis, hip surgery and the ability to fall down when least expected, stairs used to love me!!! I go through things often and get rid of what I don’t want/need/use anymore. I’ve been packing to move for over a year now and have reduced my belongings to a minimum, but your ideas are good and effective and I am happy that you can help an old lady!!! Thank you again
Amy says
Hi Pamele! You’re 67 years young! And I’m happy to be able to help! I’ve found that as I get older, I become more and more organized and more of a perfectionist, because there just seems to be more and more to keep up with. But reducing your number of belongings definitely makes things easier and less stressful. Glad that you liked the tips! 🙂